Korean Job Discussion Forums

bixlerscott · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Location: Near Wonju, South Korea

Yesterday, I return home to make a call home to find the phone was turned off. I then turn on the TV, ditto. I got very angry, did not sleep much, had negative thoughts all night, and feel horrible today.

Well, today, I let my director and vice-director know in a direct, respectful, and calm manner that I have this problem and they acted suprised, but not apologetic. It's OK I figure as long as I am not charged reconnection fees, I would just go on and put it behind us. Vice-director made calls to the companies and then tells me, it will cost 55,000 won to turn them back on today which would be coming out my pay tomarrow. I tell her, why should I have to pay reconnection charges when it was not my responsibility and I never seen the bills themselves as they go to school? Vice-director then says, I do not know if that 55,000 won is for reconnection, here I will put you on KT English speaking customer service. She hands me the phone 2 minutes before I was to teach a class to ask why it was going to cost 55,000 won to turn the phone back on and it has a computer talking an options menu. I hung it up. Raised my voice and said I was being screwed and stormed off out of the room.

I got quite upset (still dissappointed) and was very unhappy with the situation. I then went to class and just had the kids color while I silently cried. I then cried alone at lunch, becuase I liked this school, did my best for them, and they are flimsy flamsey like this. I wanted to stay the whole year, but I do not know if I can do that with being treated unfairly like this as it angers me, saddens me, and depresses me. I understand that mistakes happen such as the bills not being paid as the school pays the bills and deducts from our pay each month. They are penalizing me with reconnection fees and it was not my fault that the phone and cable was shut off yesterday; all without any apologies. I am greatly angered and saddened. I am considering leaving...

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

My advice friend, go to a public school.

Gamecock · Joined: 26 Nov 2003

Gamecock · Joined: 26 Nov 2003

ditto

rhinocharge64 · Joined: 20 Sep 2006

My advice: Grow up!! This thread is complete fabrication or you belong in an asalyum. Whic one is it?

Missile Command Kid · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Location: Daegu

How long have you been here?

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Sort it out but refuse to pay if it's for reconnection as it wasn't your fault. If they take it out of your pay pull a runner and leave them hanging! Very Happy

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

MissSeoul · Joined: 25 Oct 2006 Location: Somewhere in America

I can understand your feeling, but let it pass and put the uneasy feeling behind and try your best to be nice with people around you, one month from now you will be glad you did that......

You said it wasn't your fault ( disconnection of service ), but also it wasn't director/vice director's fault either.
In western culture, your school/director/vice director may take care the connection fee, but I am not sure I can say that way in korean culture, it happened in your residence, not in school.
My advice is take time....

poet13 · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 9:26 pm Post subject:

School supplies. Sorry, but if you bought them without being asked to, then they have every right to refuse to reimburse you.
If they asked you to buy them and THEN refused to reimburse; well then, I'm with Spliff and ttompatz.

Reconnection fees? I'm also with splif and ttomptaz.

By your reaction, it sounds like you have had what you thought was your first wonderful relationship shattered. No, not worth crying about, but that's just the cynical, been there, done that, me speaking.

misseoul. Yes, time heals wounds.....well, at least this wound will heal with time. But in the meantime, there's the next wound, and the next, and then next. At what point do you stop letting yourself get cut and slashed and get out?

mrsquirrel · Joined: 13 Dec 2006

Go into the directors office and just breakdown. Let it all out. Take your kitchen knife in there with you and stare at it with a distant look in your eye.

Wet yourself there and then on his floor and just sit there in your own piss and tears look sorry for yourself.

They will turn it on for sure without charging you any money.

Pak Yu Man · Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Location: The Ida galaxy

Here's the thing. They were not late paying your bills. They were late 3 times! That's what it usually takes to get something disconnected.

Tell you boss you will not paqy and in the future you want the bills mailed to your house and you will take care of them.

The only fault you made was trusting someone else.

TheUrbanMyth · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Location: Retired

I agree with the above poster. Have the bills sent to YOUR house from now on. Then take them to the bank and pay them there. Don't rely on your boss or anybody else to do this.

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

I'm in complete agreement with Pak Yu Man, ask that all the bills be given to you and you will take care of them. OP you are happy with where you are, don't let a minor incident such as this spoil what is otherwise a good experience. Maintain your calm and explain that they are your bills and therefore your responsibility. Smile

bixlerscott · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Location: Near Wonju, South Korea

I do not go to ajarn.com and never have been there so no, I am the legend previously mentioned above.

Yes, I thought I had a very good situation with this school and that means everything to me. It's not so much the money as it is on how much they offended and disappointed. The first incident was when they charged me utility transfer fees out of my pay last month and the director stood her ground firmly on that so I let it go. They did not charge the other foreign teachers transfer fees when they moved. My co-foriegn teachers were suprised I was charged, even after debating with the director.
Obviously the school has no respect for me after I have been very good to them. Always respectful, on time, never miss a class, never take a sick day, and put forth my best effort with the kids. The Korea teachers, foreign teachers, and kids alike like me very much at this school and I have been having a good time. This is very cold and heartless on the vice-director and directors part. I have been with them for 3 months now which would cause financial losses for both me and the school if I were to run due to being so pissed and dissappointed with them.

As for going home, I really do not want to, I would rather complete my contract. As for crying, you know this job means alot to me and holds a special meaning in my life. Just becuase you cry about something that went wrong does not mean you should run home to get happy. It does not work like that. In fact, I would just get miserable with doing that.